As many as 16 Taliban cut-thoats, mostly foreigners, were killed in a NATO...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis....Arclight airstrike last night in eastern Khost province... across the border from Miranshah, within commuting distance of Haqqani hangouts such as Datta Khel and probably within sight of Mordor. Khost is populated by six different tribes of Pashtuns, the largest probably being the Khostwal, from which it takes its name..., local security chief Mohammad Yaqoob told TOLOnews.

The incident occurred in the province's Musakhil district.

Separately, at least one Taliban capo was killed and another was captured in a join Afghan and NATO operation in central Maidan Wardak province, a security official told TOLOnews on the condition of anonymity.

The operation, which was conducted on Saturday morning in the Haft Asyab area of Sayedabad district, resulted in the death of Taliban capo Qari Mohammadullah, and the arrest of Qari Yaqoob, another local commander, the official added.

In northern Balkh province, the headmistress of Ahmad Shah Durani high school was fatally shot at her home last night, provincial police chief Shir Jan Durani told TOLOnews.

Headmistress Sima Akakhil's husband said his wife was killed by cut-throats while he was praying at a nearby mosque. The motive for killing Ms Akakhil is not yet clear .
Posted by: trailing wife 2012-08-13